Vehicle Center of Mass Detection for Concealed Cargo Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting concealed cargo and passengers in vehicles are either time-consuming and not foolproof, such as manual inspections, or expensive and low-throughput, like high-tech systems like VACIS, which impact traffic throughput and are not completely effective.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system using weight distribution data and a weight scale system to determine the actual and predicted center of mass of a vehicle, generating a signal if the actual center of mass deviates from the predicted by a predetermined threshold, indicating concealed cargo or passengers, allowing for efficient routing to secondary inspections without significantly impacting traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection is used to detect concealed cargo and passengers, then detection effectiveness is improved, but inspection time increases and traffic throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated center of mass measurement system using weight distribution sensors and computational analysis. The system automatically detects concealed cargo by comparing measured center of mass positions against expected positions based on vehicle loading data, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual searches while maintaining high detection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to be screened automatically without requiring manual intervention. The weight distribution data is collected and analyzed by the computer system, which autonomously determines whether concealed cargo is present and routes vehicles accordingly, making the inspection process self-service and significantly faster than manual methods.
2Reliability
If high technology systems like VACIS are used for vehicle screening, then detection capability is improved, but system cost increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses relatively simple and inexpensive weight distribution sensors and computing equipment instead of expensive gamma-ray imaging systems like VACIS. The system achieves effective detection using affordable components that measure weight distribution and calculate center of mass positions, making the screening process cost-effective while maintaining good detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex high-tech gamma-ray imaging systems with a simpler mechanical/electrical measurement system based on weight distribution sensors and computer analysis. This substitution dramatically reduces system cost and complexity while providing sufficient detection capability for concealed cargo identification.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive manual inspection is performed, then detection accuracy is improved, but traffic throughput is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs rapid center of mass measurements and comparisons that take only seconds per vehicle, allowing most vehicles to be screened quickly and routed through without interruption. Only vehicles with suspected concealed cargo are directed to secondary inspection areas, maintaining high traffic throughput while preserving detection accuracy through automated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs the entire detection process without manual intervention, collecting weight distribution data, calculating center of mass positions, comparing against expected values, and making routing decisions automatically. This self-service capability enables rapid processing of vehicles while maintaining accurate detection, preventing traffic congestion that would result from manual inspections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables rapid and effective detection of concealed items in vehicles, minimizing traffic disruption while providing a cost-effective solution that is more efficient than traditional methods, with the ability to accurately identify anomalies in vehicle weight distribution.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a center of mass of the vehicle using a weight scale system to obtain an actual center of mass position of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method for detecting concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in a vehicle includes obtaining weight distribution data for the vehicle; obtaining vehicle loading data; measuring a center of mass of the vehicle to obtain an actual center of mass position of the vehicle; and executing one or more computer program modules configured to determined a predicted center of mass position of the vehicle using the obtained vehicle loading data and the obtained weight distribution data of the vehicle; compare the actual center of mass position of the vehicle with the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle; and provide a signal if the actual center of mass position of the vehicle departs from the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle by at least a predetermined threshold, the signal being representative of concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in the vehicle.